Chapter 20
They stepped out of the diner just after midnight, the city quieter now, the air cool enough to make Jamie tug his blazer closed.
They lingered on the sidewalk.
A little too close.
A little too long.
Neither of them quite ready to say goodnight.
Blake checked his watch, then glanced down the street. “I’m that way,” he said, motioning left.
Jamie nodded. “And I’m the opposite.”
A beat.
Just them.
Streetlights soft. Cars passing in a hush. The night holding onto something that didn’t want to end.
Blake pulled out his phone, tapped a few times, then looked up. “Cab’s coming. For you.”
Jamie blinked. “Wait – what? You don’t have to…”
Blake raised a brow. “It’s late. I want to make sure you get home safe.”
Jamie opened his mouth…
then closed it again when Blake added, lightly, “Let me have my gentleman moment, Capulet.”
Oh. That’s unfair.
Jamie huffed a small laugh. “Fine. One gentleman moment. Don’t get used to it.”
Blake smiled like he already had.
The cab pulled up a few minutes later.
Blake stepped forward, opening the door like it was second nature – easy, effortless, a little old-fashioned in a way that felt… intentional.
Jamie paused before getting in.
Looked up at him.
“Thanks,” he said softly. “For tonight. For… all of it.”
Blake’s hand rested lightly on the doorframe.
“Sleep well.”
Stay.
Jamie nodded instead. “You too.”
He slid into the cab.
The door closed.
And as the car pulled away, Jamie turned – just once.
Blake was still there.
Under the streetlight.
One hand in his pocket.
Watching the cab disappear.
Like he wasn’t ready for it to end either.
Back home, Jamie kicked off his shoes, dropped his jacket over a chair, and fell into bed with a smile he couldn’t quite get rid of.
He pulled the covers up, staring at the ceiling.
Gentleman moment.
His heart was still a little too fast. His skin still warm where Blake had been – close, not quite touching, but enough.
He replayed everything.
The walk.
The diner.
The way Blake listened.
The way he looked at him.
Like he already knew him.
Like he liked what he saw.
Jamie exhaled, turning onto his side.
I’m in trouble.
A pause.
Good trouble.
He smiled into the pillow.
And fell asleep like that.
Across the city, Blake Sterling toed off his shoes, loosened the top buttons of his shirt, and let himself fall back into bed.
He stared at the ceiling.
But he wasn’t seeing it.
He was seeing…
Jamie laughing.
Jamie blushing.
Jamie looking surprised every time someone chose him.
Blake huffed out a quiet breath.
Of course I chose him.
Not even a question.
Not even a doubt.
He turned onto his side, closing his eyes.
Sleep came easy when your mind finally stopped running.
And stayed somewhere it wanted to be.